Copplestone Enlightener

Copplestone

Enlightener MARCH 2014 Copplestone Village Hall Fundraising Events

1st March - Table Top Sale

After many months of preparation and anticipation, our new Children's and Families Worker has taken up his post at Copplestone Methodist Church.

Sean Schofield (our former Youth Worker) stepped into this new position in January this year and has got off to a flying start!

If you have something to sell why not book a table at our Table Top Sale to be held in Copplestone Church Hall on Saturday 1st March 2-4pm. Table costs £5 or just come along and look for a bargain. To book a table contact Liz on 84819.

11th April - Easter Quiz Following a very successful Christmas quiz, we will be holding an Easter themed quiz which will take place at Copplestone Church Hall on 11th April @ 7.30pm.

Teams of four are invited. Cost £4 per person which will include a ploughman’s supper. For more details contact Barbara on 84574.

6th June - Songs of the First World War

Sean has been visiting some of the children's work that currently takes place in Copplestone to get a feel of what is happening and trying to discover what is needed in the community. He has also visited other children and families projects to pick up some potential new ideas. We can expect to see some fresh projects starting over the next 6 months from toddler activities to further development of our new 'RE:GENERATE' men's group that had its first get together in January with a skittles night at the The Cross Pub.

A sing along evening of popular songs from the First World War, led by the Copplestone Singers, will be held on June 6th at Bow Village Hall. Starting at 8pm in aid of Copplestone village hall and the British Legion. Ticket: Adult £5, Children £3, which will include a buffet supper. All ages welcome. Contact Barbara on 84574

In this new Children and Families project Sean will still be involved with the youth work that takes place in the community, along with volunteer helpers, but his focus will be offering support, care and guidance to families with young children, as well as offering activities for this group.

28th & 29th June - Open Gardens

We are really excited about this project at Copplestone Church and are looking forward with great anticipation to see what comes out of it. Sean would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts/ideas about the children and families work that takes place in Copplestone. You can contact him at seansyw@yahoo.co.uk or 01363 85451.

An open garden week-end with gardens from Down St Mary and Copplestone taking part. There are a lot of beautiful gardens within these villages & gardeners with a wealth of knowledge. Why not share that passion and knowledge with others by opening your garden to the public and help towards funding the village hall. For more details contact Ken on 84771.

September - Fun Day Finally, we are hoping to hold another Fun Day in September, details at a later date.

Copplestone Parent Teacher Association News

Kids@Copplestone After School Club Copplestone After School Club is a local charity which provides after school childcare and various club activities for our primary school age children.

The PTA has been hard at work again this past term.

Before Christmas the children enjoyed a great disco at the school, where parents could browse craft and trade stalls and children could have a special visit with Father Christmas. This was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. We raised a total of over £341.

As a result, we held another disco just before February half term which was again enjoyed by all.

The children all get very excited at the discos and so we are very fortunate and happy to be able to put on these events for them.

We are OFSTED registered and we also incorporate a Breakfast Club which is open to school children from 8am at a cost of £4; you can also have breakfast for 50p. Our after school club opening times are from 3:30pm to 6pm, with very reasonable rates at £3 for the clubs which finish at 4:45pm (5pm Fridays) and £3 per hour for childcare which is available until 6pm. For a full programme and booking form go to www.copplestone-primary.devon.sch.uk/kids.html our school website.

At the start of February, we collected unwanted clothes for Bags2School. This was a great way to raise funds for the PTA and built upon the success of previous collections. Thank you to all those parents who bought their bags filled with clothes up to the school.

We have had a great half term with clubs. Exeter City running football and multi sports, Premier Sports running our gymnastics for KS1, Orchestra, Guitar and Singing Club, Art & Craft and Film Club to finish off the week.

We are always looking for people who can spare an hour a week, for a term, to share a skill or run an activity for our club. In the past we have had sports, languages, music, cookery, knitting etc. If you feel you could help in any way, please do contact me at kids@copplestone-primary.devon.sch.uk

Last year as many of you will remember, we held our Copplestone Proms. We ar e all ver y excited to announce that this wonderful event is happening again on 21st June 2014. It was great to see the support from the village and surrounding area come out to the school and enjoy the evening with us. This year we are delighted to have play for us the Devon Youth and Symphony Orchestra, and hopefully one or two surprises. We look forward to sharing this event with you all again in June.

Tina Cartlidge

Copplestone After School Club

We are also looking forward to holding another Donkey Derby over the summer! More details of this will follow in the next issue.

We would like to thank all members of our committee for the dedication and hard work in making these events not only happen, but making them a huge success.

Lesley Smith (CPTA Secretary)

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News from Copplestone Primary School

concert, following on from a very successful and much appreciated performance at the Copplestone Methodist Church Café. Our topic is ‘Our World, Our Future’. As part of this topic pupils are examining key global issues such as rainforest destruction, recycling, fair trade and global trade. Our Design & Technology week at the end of January with a focus on recycling. During this week pupils were involved in making recycled t-shirts, models, junk instruments, rainforest scenes and iron men models.

Ali Gillard Head of School

Foundation Stage - Pre-School & Reception Class Our overarching theme across the Foundation Stage this term is Animals and so far we have focussed on ‘The Farm’ and ‘The Jungle’. During our farm weeks, the children across the unit enjoyed learning about animals and their young, and where our foods come from.

Rainbow class’ literacy linked in well with our topic, using a talk for writing approach for ‘The Little Red Hen’. The children loved retelling the story, using actions they had created. They made bread for the ‘Little Red Hen’ and she even came to visit them to eat the bread. The Pre-School children also enjoyed the visit from Miss King’s chickens and loved stroking them and exploring the texture of their feathers.

Community Health Watch ‘Residents Making A Difference For Our Own Communities’ Do you ever need a little help?

Would you like someone who could help you, or find someone nearby who has the skills you need?

Do you have skills that you are willing to use to help others in need in your community?

Key Stage 1 – Y1 & Y2 Key Stage 1 topic this half term is a ‘Local study’ and the children have been learning to read maps and to describe what they have in their local area. We have also learnt about our addresses, how they are written and what each line represents.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you may be interested to know that we are hoping to set up a Community Health Watch Project in Copplestone. Similar projects have already been set up and are successfully running in other Mid Devon communities. If you would like to know more then please come along to:

In Yellow class (Y2) they have been focusing their writing around talk for writing and the story of ‘The tiger who came to tea’. They have written information pages for homework about tigers. We were very lucky that a real tiger visited yellow class creating a new story ‘The tiger who came to school’.

A Presentation for ‘Community Health Watch’ on Friday 28th March 2014 Copplestone Church Hall, 7-9pm The presentation will be given by Jayne Clarke who helped to set up the successful project at Newton St Cyres. All are very welcome to attend to find out more and ask questions. For more details please contact Gordon Tel: 84670 .

Gordon Duguid

Don’t Forget

Mothers Day

In Green class (Y1) the children have been looking at ‘the enormous turnip’ and writing their own books based on giant vegetables. Using talk for writing the children have been learning to write their own stories with patterned language, designing front covers, writing a story and writing blurbs.

Key Stage 2 – Y3, Y4, Y5 & Y6 In KS2, the autumn term ended with a string of successful events. Our KS2 carol service was wellattended by parents and saw the debut of our newly re -formed orchestra, now run as an after school club. It was also great to see our Choir perform again at the

Sunday 30th March 3

It has been a quiet few months for the gardening club although we did meet for a pre-Christmas social at The Cross Pub on 26th November 2013. The evening was made more fun by coinciding with Folk Night at The Cross; it was an enjoyable evening for all with nibbles generously supplied by mine hosts, Sandra and Paul.

Recreation Field Football Pitch Copplestone Recreation Association (C.R.A.) have had some good meetings with Copplestone United Football Club who are full of appreciation of all the hard work this village has done by providing the pitch. Anyone who wishes to comment concerning: 1.

The state of the pitch - please contact Richard on 01363 82876 2.

The rest of the field & car park - please contact John on 01363 84819.

We had a small stall selling crafts, plants and produce at the Christmas Craft Fair at the Primary School and raised £30 which has been donated to the CRA fund for the new Community Hall. Work on the flower bed at the entrance to the field has temporarily halted due to weather conditions but happily the bulbs planted last autumn are showing their heads so there is hope of a nice spring display. Hopefully it will stop raining soon and work can recommence.

Proposed Community Hall Fundraising has now started thanks to ‘Friends of Copplestone’ and we are in the process of seeking grants. To this end we need letters, or emails, from existing clubs, or ones that would like to start, that would like to use the hall. We are a Community Interest Company and therefore the more clubs who wish to use the main hall or the meeting rooms, the greater hope there is of getting the grants. If you can help, please write to: John Clotworthy, The Shrubbery, Copplestone, Crediton EX17 5NE or email Ken Warren kenjwarren6@btinternet.com

The first Gardening Club meeting of 2014 took place on Wednesday 12th February at the Cross and 11 people came along which was a surprising number given the weather. We discussed preparations for our stall selling plants, seeds and produce at the next Table Top Sale at the Methodist Hall on Saturday 1st March. We also discussed member s’ participation in the proposed Copplestone Village Garden Open weekend in June. Some people will open their own gardens and others will be volunteer helpers for the weekend.

Waste Bins & Working Party Thanks to Clare (Parish Clerk) and the Parish Council we have had a TAP Grant for three bins. These have now arrived and a day is being arranged (dry if possible!) and volunteers sought for cementing them in. If you would like to help with this working party and/or help to mulch in the new trees that were recently planted, please contact John Mason on 01363 84819. Let us hope it is as successful as the tree planting day!

John Clotworthy (Chairman C.R.A.)

Other items on the agenda included a query about a clematis Montana which has been trying to smother a holly tree, venues for possible group trips out, an offer of free wood ash, request for advice about where to get manure including a debate about the comparative merits of horse versus cow manure. The next meeting is due to take place on Wednesday 19th March at 7.30pm in the back r oom at the Cr oss (TBC). New members are always warmly welcomed.

Iris Middleton

Kenno’s

Mobile Library Service

RODEO SURFRIDER CHALLENGE

Come & visit us fortnightly on Thursdays Fernworthy Park 2.35pm – 2.55pm Copplestone Nisa Shop 3pm - 3.30pm

Rodeo Surfboard Hire

FREE Membership, no charges for borrowing books.

Join at any age. DVD hire from £1 for a fortnight.

Great choice of fic!on, non-fic!on, large print and children’s books.

FREE reserva!on plus reserve books online and collect them from the mobile library.

Fully Operated & Supervised Fun for all ages Private parties catered for

Contact: Ken Nott kennethnott@sky.com 01363 85025 / 07966 526660 Fully Insured 4

For Youth 11 – 14 years This term in the Grid we have been looking at some of the challenges that young people face in day to day life and ways of dealing with them. In March we start a new series called 'Becoming the people of God' where we will be looking what the bible says about a healthy lifestyle. We currently have 10 young people aged 11-16 attending Grid on a Sunday morning. We still meet at Copplestone Church, and the sessions take place above the community hall while the church service is taking place. We have a great time in the Grid, and our sessions involve games, food and drink, topical discussion and lots of fun.

Copplestone Methodist Youth Church Sunday mornings from 10.45am to 12 noon

Our Christmas Service (see photo above) with The Grid and Kidzone went very well with many positive comments. It was entitled ‘Prickly Hay’ and we learnt about how we are all important to God whatever job we do. Then we ended the year with our Christmas Party with lots of fun and games had by all.

For Toddlers 0 – 3 years We having been continuing our series called ‘Toddlers Knowing God’ and since Christmas we've been doing this every week. Some of the things we have looked at have included 'God is my Light', 'God is my Shield', 'God is All Powerful' and 'God is my Fortress'. The children have enjoyed making shields, dens, playing with torches, hide and seek and dancing and singing to favourite songs about God!

All children, either with or without their parents, are very welcome to join us at Church on Sunday mornings. For more information please contact Sean Schofield, Children and Families W orker (85451), Hannah Petherick (84182) or Debbie Pinhey (01837 83357). All our leaders and helpers have a current DBS (or CRB), have attended the Methodist Church Safeguarding Course and adhere to our safeguarding policy.

The Youth Church Team

For Children 4 – 11 years.

We have been looking at the first followers of Jesus and finding out about how their lives have been turned upside down, but they know that Jesus is with them always. We are going on to look at how Jesus is amazing and what it is like to meet and follow Jesus through new testament stories.

To book %ckets please contact Jan 07980 347231 5

Copplestone Community Praise 6th April 2014 For sure you will have tuned in to the BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’ on television on some occasion. It’s uplifting to share in the enthusiasm of communities up and down the country as they share experiences and join in some of the great hymns and songs that are a rich part of our nation’s heritage.

Copplestone Holiday at Home 2014

Well, the BBC may not know what’s happening in Copplestone this Spring (I didn’t think to tell them !!!) but we are going to have our own Community Praise Evening at the Church on Sunday, 6th April at 6.15 pm.

Following the success of Holiday at Home 2013 plans are going ahead for a similar holiday this coming Summer. The 2014 Copplestone Holiday at Home will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 16th, 18th and 20th June. Please note that although all three days are in the same week they are not consecutive days. This is to give opportunities for rest between days of activity!

The singing will be led by our very own Copplestone Singers and Or chestr a and I shall be inter viewing various members of the community who will choose what we sing.

The holiday will follow a similar pattern to last year with breakfast and evening meal being provided at the church and a daily excursion (with packed lunch).

Transport will be by mini-bus and there will be volunteer escorts to help with mobility needs and in any other way necessary. A qualified first-aider will always be in attendance.

If the Community Carol Service last Christmas is anything to go by, you’ll need to come early to be sure of a seat! So book the date now, plan to be with us that evening and bring your family and friends with you.

Heather Castle

Copplestone Church Community Room

Those eligible for a place on this holiday are Copplestone residents of pensionable age (or younger if coping with a disability). We especially welcome those who would not otherwise be able to have a holiday, but others are welcome, too. There is no charge for the holiday which is a gift from the church.

However, some people have asked if they might make a donation. Donations will always be received thankfully, whether the donors come on the holiday or just want to help in some way !

Available for hire with fully equipped kitchen.

For more details or to book contact Maureen Burlton Tel: (01363) 881154

Provisional booking forms are available from Heather at the Church Café on Thursday mornings. Please ask if you would like to have one. Completion of these forms does not commit you to coming in June but it does assure you of a place should you decide to book in when invited to do so. (Immediately after Easter).

It also gives us an idea of how many we will be catering for and transporting! To date 14 people have made a provisional booking for next June. If YOU are eligible and would like to join us, please see me as soon as possible on a Thursday morning at the Café.

Heather Castle

K J Stoneman & Co Agricultural & Garden Machinery Sales, Service, Spares and Repairs of all types of Agricultural & Garden Machinery Main Dealers For: Briggs & Stratton Engines Mountfield Mowers & Ride-ons Stiga Mowers & Ride-ons Husqvarna Chainsaws & Brushcutters Kioti Compact Tractors Suzuki & Polaris Quads & UTVs Petrol Chainsaws Petrol Lawnmowers

Colebrooke Parish Hall Available for hire – kitchen, stage, hall, meeting rooms, bar.

COPPLESTONE, CREDITON (01363) 84424

Contact Steve Graham for details: 01363 84309 Village website: www.colebrooke.org just 1.5 miles from Copplestone

www.kjstoneman.co.uk sales@kjstoneman.co.uk 6

The Café

Copplestone Singers

Come & join us for coffee or lunch

Prac ces on Thursday evenings 7.00 - 8.30pm at Copplestone Methodist Church

Our Café Christmas Lunch was a real success: we fed almost 70 hungry people of all ages! Since then, we have also had January and February lunches where we have enjoyed Beef Stew and Chicken Provençal.

We’re an all age community choir with a wide choice of music to suit everyone; and for Spring and Summer 2014 we are doing gospel and show songs.

Everyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join us.

There are no auditions.

The menus for the next three months are as follows: 4th March - Savoury Pancakes 1st April - Beef Wellington 6th May - Chicken Spaghetti

For more details contact Sheila (07980 575654) or Debbie (07964 969141) or you can just come along to a Thursday evening practice and see how you like it!

We are open on the first Tuesday of every month 122pm and have homemade soup, jacket potatoes and a homemade dessert to offer in addition to the main meal each time. Whilst most of the money donated goes to cover our costs, any 'left over' always tops up the main Café charity of the month.

The Thursday Café continues to be open every week 9am-12noon on a Thursday morning in the church.

We have Soft Play available for under 5’s and always plenty of homemade cakes and luxury hot drinks.

Come along for a quiet drink, catch up with old friends or meet new ones, everyone is welcome!

Good Friday - 18th April For all children aged 11 years & under.

We have recently set up a 'Copplestone Church Cafe' Facebook page so if you haven't already, check it out, like and share!!!

Meet at Bewsley Hill Car Park 10.30am Registration fee £1.50 Refreshments Available Lots of Eggs to be won!

Thanks to your generosity at the Tuesday lunches as well as the Thursday Café’s we have, since October, been able to donate more to the local charities of the month that The Café supports.

The Café Team

All welcome to come along and enjoy the fun.

Proceeds to the Village Hall Fund.

For more details John & Suzanne Tel: 84018

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District Councillors Comments

Local Plan Review

Do you want more houses built in Copplestone?

With the weather as it is, it is difficult to find something to write which is uplifting; except to say that around the Copplestone area we are not suffering like people in some parts of the South West and the Somerset Levels. There are things that do need urgent attention locally on the highways with choked drains and deepening pot-holes. Please continue to report these issues to the Highways Authority on csc.roads@devon.gov.uk .

Mid Devon District Council are currently holding a review on the proposed sites put forward by land owners within Mid Devon. In Copplestone we have had 3 sites put forward: 1.

Land running along the back of Dulings Meadow and Fernworthy Gardens, between the A377 and Bewsley Hill. Proposed houses 118 2.

Land running from the back of the school wrapping all the way around Sunnymead and beyond. Proposed houses 50 3.

Land at the old abattoir site from the A377 back to the railway line. Proposed houses 48

One thing that has changed in Mid Devon is the introduction of the Dog Fouling Act which will be of interest to all dog owners. With the introduction of the Mid Devon Fouling of Land by Dogs order in December 2012, dog walkers are reminded that it is a criminal offence if they fail to clear up after their dog defecates on land anywhere in Mid Devon. The order applies to any land which is open to the air and accessible to the public, including country lanes and rural areas, even roads outside the 40mph speed limit. The offence carries a fine of up to £1000 and a criminal record. Liability may be discharged by payment of a fixed penalty of £80 (£50 if paid within ten days)

Although the proposed number of houses only adds up to 216, if you look at the size of land in relation to the Station Road development that sites 98 houses on it, you could easily fit in excess of 400 houses across all the proposed sites. Once the settlement limits of a village have been increased this will open the flood gates for houses being built and in the last 10 years our village has increased by 59.6%. I am sure you will be with us when we say that we are not happy for any more substantial increase to go ahead!

However as a village we have an opportunity to have our say in two ways.

Firstly you can all independently object to the sites not only on their size but there impact to the village as a whole. You can do this in the following ways: 1. Online via the survey on the website 2. Email: - planningconsultations@middevon.gov.uk 3. By letter posted or delivered to: Local Plan Review Consultation, Forward Planning, Mid Devon District Council Phoenix House, Tiverton EX16 6PP The deadline for your response is the 24th March 2014. Responses must include a postal address otherwise they cannot be registered. Postal addresses will only be used to inform people about the new plan and other planning policy matters.

Cabinet Minister for the Environment Clive Eginton said “If you allow your dog to foul and fail to pick up after it, beware of the consequences! The potential health issues will affect others and the potential financial ones will affect you! Enforcement Officers would appeal to anyone who witnesses the offence to report it at http://www.middevon.gov.uk/eworks/ dogfouling/dogfouling.asp or phone 01884 255255 and provide as much information as possible, such as times, dates, location, description of dog and dog walker and vehicle registration number if applicable.

With Half term upon us and Easter not far away we trust the weather and ground conditions will improve and the garden lovers will be able to start their Spring work.

Secondly as a village if we put together a neighbourhood plan, as long as it doesn’t go against local and government policy, then they have to take it into account!! Also if we have a neighbourhood plan and any developments are done then the monies back to the village increase from 15% to 25%.

Derek Coren & Peter Heal Councillors, Yeo Ward

Within our next Parish Council meeting, 4th march 2014 in the Church hall, this topic is up for discussion. Feel free to come along and have your say or if you wish to come and view the local plan review and the map of the proposed site you are more than welcome. Also I have invited a planning officer from Mid Devon to come and attend the meeting.

This is your chance to have your say on how the village will be formed over the next 15-20 years. In short the time to act is NOW!!!

Hannah Edwards - Copplestone Parish Chair 8

Parish Council News

The Parish Clerk can be contacted as follows Clare Higglesden Tel: 01363 84505 14 Dulings Meadow, Copplestone, Crediton EX17 5PE Email: copplestoneparishcouncil@gmail.com

New Councillors - Copplestone Par ish Council would like to welcome Cllr Danny Trendell and Cllr Mark Johnson who have recently been co-opted onto the Council.

They are both keen to get involved in work within the Parish and to make a difference to the community. We still have one vacancy for a Parish Councillor and any interested parties should contact any Parish Councillor or the Clerk direct.

Your local Parish Councillors are: Hannah Edwards (Chairperson) Tel: 01363 84676 Stephen Faulkner Tel: 01363 84758 Gordon Duguid Tel: 01363 84670 Julie Rumble Tel: 01363 84181 Danny Trendell Tel: 07515 958073 Mark Johnson Tel: 01363 85213

Dog Bins - After consultation with the Distr ict Council, locations have been agreed for the two new dog bins. It is hoped that these will be in position within the next couple of months. These bins have been financed by the Parish Council and it is hoped that they will eliminate the constant fouling that occurs.

Your Mid Devon District Councillors are: Derek Coren Tel: 01647 24264 Email: dcoren@middevon.gov.uk Peter Heal Tel: 01363 884277 Email: pheal@middevon.gov.uk Your Devon County Councillor is: Nick Way Tel: 01363 777903 Email: nick.way@devon.gov.uk

TAP Fund - The Par ish Council wer e successful in securing a Grant from the Mid Devon TAP Fund under our ‘Keep Copplestone Tidy’ Bid. Our bid was made in order to furnish the recreation field with Litter Bins. There will be three litter bins and one recycling bin. These have now been delivered and will be installed in the coming weeks.

Your Member of Parliament for Mid Devon is: Mel Stride MP Tel: 0207 219 7037 House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Email: mel.stride.mp@parliament.uk www.melstridemp.com Parish Council Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month (excluding August) in the Methodist Church Community Room. A Councillor or the Clerk will be available from 7:15pm. Additionally, at the start of each meeting a public session is held.

Litter Pick - The Par ish Council has ar r anged a Litter pick to take place on Saturday 29th March.

This event is for the benefit of the Parish and we would strongly encourage people to attend in order to tidy up the area in which they live. Mid Devon District Council will provide all the equipment and insurance required and refreshments will be provided for the hard workers afterwards in the Church Hall.

Please meet at 10am at Bewsley Hill car park.

The agenda is placed on the notice boards at The Cross, Sunnymead and in Knowle at least three clear days prior to each meeting. Unapproved Minutes will be published within 2 weeks, on the notice boards, via the Facebook page and on the village website at www.copplestone.org.uk Clare Higglesden Copplestone Parish Clerk

Grants - In r ecent months we have had applications for donations from several local groups.

Copplestone Parish Council have been pleased to make the following donations; Copplestone After School Club - To purchase T-shirts to improve attendees visibility and safety.

Piglets Toddler Group - To purchase barriers to improve the safety of the children Copplestone School Choir – To assist with travel costs to choir functions and activities Mid Devon Citizens Advice Bureau – A contribution to continue working with Mid Devon residents Devon Victim Support – A contribution to continue working with Devon residents Copplestone Parish Council has a Facebook page. Visit the page and ‘Like’ and you will be kept up to date with all information relating to both the Parish and Mid Devon.

www.copplestone.org.uk To find out what’s happening go to our village website. For informa!on & links to: Parish Council, Copplestone Primary School, Local Churches, The Enlightener, MDDC, Diary Dates & Things To Do. 9

In May 1940, when Winston Churchill formed his wartime coalition government, Bevin was included in the War Cabinet. When Clement Attlee formed his government in July, 1945, he chose Bevin as his Foreign Secretary. Eventually ill health forced his resignation on his 70th birthday and he died on April 14, 1951.

The world is your Oyster if you come to Kidzone or Grid

When King George VI asked Bevin where he had gained his knowledge, he replied ‘from the hedgerows of experience’. He is almost certainly the only Cabinet Minister ever to have lived in the village of Copplestone and to have attended the Methodist Church. There is still a Sunday School at the church but now for 4-11 year-olds it is called Kidzone and for those who are 11 and over it is called The Grid.

Do you know the name of a Cabinet Minister who lived in Copplestone? He was born in Somerset, on 7 March 1881, and his name was Ernest Bevin. Sadly his mother, by then a widow, died on 1 May 1889 at the age of forty-eight. Ernest was eight and, after the funeral, his Somerset home was broken up.

Fortunately, Ernest’s older half-sister, Mary, and her husband George Pope, offered to take him into their home at Morchard Bishop. Ernest arrived in Devon in the early summer of 1889.

Every child and young person in the area is welcome and you don’t have to be destined to be a Cabinet Minister to attend! But who knows what you might end up becoming?

Roger Steer

In the summer of 1889, Ernest attended Morchard Bishop Church School, and then in October George Pope and his wife moved to Copplestone. The house, then known as Tiddly-Winks but since renamed Lee Mount, was later occupied by my own great uncle, Bill Steer, Copplestone postman in the 1940s and 50s. You may have noticed the blue plaque in memory of Ernest on the cottage wall.

Special Services at Copplestone Methodist Church Mothers Day Sunday 30th March Family Service - 10.45am Coffee from 10.15am Good Friday - 18th April Short Reflective Service - 9.30am

A year before Ernest Bevin arrived in Copplestone, they had opened the present Ebenezer Chapel in the village and Ernest went to the chapel and its Sunday School every Sunday. After attending Colebrooke’s Board School for a while, Mary Pope found Ernest a place at Hayward Boys’ School in Crediton. When Ernest left Haywards, he found a job as a farm-boy at Chaffcombe, close to Copplestone, where he lived in and worked ten hours a day for a wage of sixpence a week. During the winter of 1892-3, Ernest moved to another farm, Beers, up the hill just outside Copplestone on the road to Okehampton. Bevin had a room in an outbuilding overlooking the farmyard, reached by narrow winding stairs from the yard itself.

William May paid him a shilling a week in addition to his board.

Easter Day Sunday 20th April Easter Service - 10.45am Coffee from 10.15am All are welcome

When the opportunity arrived for Ernest to move to Bristol, he jumped at the chance and, in the spring of 1894, he set off for the big city. Making progress over the years as a union man, in 1921 he amalgamated several unions into the Transport and General Workers’ Union, of which he was general secretary and which became the largest trade union in the world.

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Piglets Toddler Group Piglets Toddler Group have had a very busy few months, the Christmas party was a great success with all the children enjoying balloon animals kindly made by Sean and great food provided by the parents. The party ended with a visit from Father Christmas and all the children received a gift.

We have been very lucky recently and received some kind donations from Tesco, Crediton Lions and the council. Tesco Community Champion, Andrew came to visit us recently and organised a date for the mums and children to visit Tesco and have a tour of the store. He very kindly offered to donate us a new sand pit which he will be presenting to the group when we visit the store.

As a group we have been fundraising with a Christmas draw which raised £60, we would like to thank everyone who very kindly donated us draw prizes. We have recently been able to order a new barrier which we will be using to block off the car park and have better access to outside play. This will enable the children to play outside most weeks. We have lots of bikes and with the new sandpit the children will be enjoying the new outdoor space.

The children have been busy enjoying themselves this term; they have done potato printing which all the children really loved. They made some lovely bright pictures with potato’s and paint. We have also enjoyed borrowing the soft play equipment from the church café which all the children thoroughly enjoyed; they jumped, climbed, balanced and made some great towers. All the children went home nicely tired out that day.

If you would like to join us at toddlers we meet every Wednesday during term time at Copplestone Methodist Church hall from 9am till 12. Everyone is welcome with children from birth to five years. If you would like some more information please do not hesitate to contact Steph on 07967 549455 or Helen on 07814 977693, or find us on Facebook. Otherwise turn up on a Wednesday morning and we would love to meet you.

Steph Saunders

Citizens Advice Bureau Offering independent, confidential, impartial and free problem solving advice and help to all who need it.

Our aim is to ensure that individuals do not suffer through a lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them.

Your local C.A.B is at: Crediton Council Offices, Market Street, Crediton EX17 2BN Tel no. 01363 778410 Open: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 10.00am to 3.00pm Telephone numbers: Advice line for new enquiries: 0844 4111 444 Ongoing issues: Answer machine only: 01884 244630 (leave a message & we will call back) 11

Tarka Line News By the time this article appears work should have been completed on the installation of the raised section of platform (known as a Harrington Hump) at Copplestone Railway Station.

This will greatly assist people with reduced mobility as well as those with buggies to board and leave trains by reducing the height between the platform and the train. Similar facilities are also being installed at Crediton and Newton St Cyres. The Tarka Rail Association has been lobbying for a number of years to have these much needed facilities installed and we are delighted that the low platforms at these stations will enable more people to use the trains.

Spring Events: 11th March: Film: ‘Stalker’ 19th - 22nd March: Theatre: ‘Scarecrow’ - Life on the Rural Home Front 1914-1918 28th March: Food: ‘Syllabub, Squab Pie & Suet Pudding’ - A tasting guide to Devon’s Food History 29th March: Film: ‘Life Circles’ 11th April Theatre: ‘Clown in the Moon’ 12th April: Workshop: Dowsing 15th April: Film ‘Welcome’ Tickets for all events can be bought from Crediton Arts Centre Tel: 773260, Crediton Community Bookshop Tel; 774740, Sandford Stores Tel: 775805 or online at creditonartscentre.ticketsource.co.uk

The awful weather in December and January fortunately did not have too great an impact on the Tarka Line and the train service was fairly reliable throughout. This was in part as a result of some preventative work by Network Rail around the Exeter area and particularly at Cowley Bridge.

Book Clubs The Arts Centre hosts two book clubs. One meets in members homes around the district and the other at the Lamb Inn, Sandford, both being very informal.

Meetings are held throughout the year, roughly every 6 weeks. For more information contact Pam Barnard Tel: 772357

The shortage of sufficient carriages for peak hour trains continues to be a problem simply because there are no spare diesel trains anywhere in the country. In fairness to First Great Western they have tried as far as possible to match capacity with demand, but with demand growing nearly everywhere, it is not possible to meet all demands. Nevertheless, the Tarka Rail Association keeps lobbying and whilst the afternoon situation is intractable, we are keeping up the pressure to try and provide more seats on the first train of the day to Exeter and remain hopeful that something may be possible in the not too distant future.

We hope you will join us at our events, workshops and classes. Please come along, there’s something for everyone. For up to date information, including any changes to the programme, please visit our website: www.creditonartscentre.org

For the longer term, it seems that by 2017 following electrification of the Thames Valley services out of Paddington, more suitable diesel trains will migrate to the west country and we, with our colleagues in other rail user groups, will be seeking to ensure that sufficient additional trains come to Exeter Depot to enable everyone to have a seat on all local Devon services.

Don’t forget that you can still buy books of ten single journey tickets (called Carnets) from the Copplestone Nisa Shop for a very reasonable £24 (equal to £2.40 per journey). These can be used for trips to Exeter or Barnstaple by any train to or from Morchard Road or Copplestone Stations and can be used by friends or family provided the book is taken on the train and shown to the Conductor.

Another great fare deal is Group Save. With spring arriving and birds migrating, a trip down the line towards Exmouth for lunch and a walk is very enjoyable and three or four people can travel together for the price of two.

John Phillips External Relations Officer Tarka Rail Association.

12

Copplestone Fit Club Thursdays 6pm

Fit Club is now in it’s 10th year and continues to thrive. We have around 20 ladies attending; some every week and others as and when they can make it …. but new faces are still very welcome.

at Copplestone School Wednesday 5th March Wednesday 2nd April Wednesday 7th May Wednesday 4th June With fantastic meat prizes.

Doors open 7pm - Eyes down 7.45pm Any items for the Draw would be greatly appreciated as would help with tables & chairs before & after bingo For more details please contact John & Elizabeth Mason Tel: 84819 Come along and have some fun!

Proceeds to Copplestone Village Hall Fund

We meet every Thursday (during term-time) in the Church Community Room from 6pm. If you are trying to lose a few pounds there is an optional weekly ‘weigh-in’ to encourage and motivate you to keep on track. Just bring along a piece of fruit and if you lose the most weight that week (or put the least on!) you win the fruit to take home.

Our exercise session runs from 6.15pm till 7pm. We start with a warm up and then move onto about 20 minutes of aerobic/dance exercising. After a quick breather, drink and some chatting time, we move onto our toning exercises. This normally involves a variety of standing, sitting and floor exercises to target all those so-called ‘problem’ areas of arms, legs, tums & bums. We finish with some stretching exercises to make sure we go home relaxed. All exercises are to music so we can enjoy moving to the beat as we improve our fitness.

Stroke Support Group We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Devonshire Dumpling, Morchard Road.

This social group support each other, relax & enjoy themselves; sometimes we have speakers to provide information. The group is committed to improving the after care of those affected by strokes. If you, a family member or friend could benefit from this group and would like more information, then please contact Janet Poulter Tel: 776559 or Belinda Petersen Tel:85118

Ladies of all ages, shapes and fitness levels are welcomed, but please check with your doctor first if you have any health concerns. No special clothing is required but wearing trainers will help cushion your joints. Options are given to suit ALL fitness levels from those who want a really energetic work-out to those who prefer to take things a little more gently.

You will soon feel the benefits of being more active as you stretch and tone your muscles, increase you heart rate and get your circulation moving.

We are a very friendly group and at only £1.50 per session what have you got to lose by coming along and giving Fit Club a go! For more details, please contact Suzanne email: lunn.family4@gmail.com, Tel: 84018 or just come along on a Thursday.

Suzanne Lunn (Exercise to Music Level II Trained)

Saturday 5th April 2014

Charity Family Fun Quiz

Mid Moors Developments Home improvements Conservatories Landscaping Carports Sheds/Summerhouses Painting and decorating

at Redhills Primary School, Exwick, Exeter - 7pm Adult - £6.00, Child - £3.00 (under 16yrs) includes buffet supper.

Licensed bar, tea & coffee available For more details or to book in a team contact Nick & Sonya on 01363 881443

No job too large or small Free quotes Call Nick 07581 057191

Charity No. 298405

13

Down St. Mary Church

St Boniface Church, Knowle

Our Carol Service in our beautifully decorated Church gave a truly festive atmosphere, despite the tempest outside. Traditional Christmas Carols filled the Church and the readings told us the timeless story of the first Christmas. Afterwards fellowship continued with mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls. The collection of £108.97 was donated to the Christian Aid Philippines Typhoon Appeal.

26th March - Exeter Male Voice Choir On March 26th at 7.30pm there will be a concert by the Exeter Male Voice Choir in St Boniface Church in aid of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund. Tickets are £6.00 to include light refreshments and can be obtained from Glenn Bearne Tel. 84451, and other members of the congregation. We hope that this event will be well supported as all proceeds will go to this worthy cause.

At our popular Crib Service on Christmas Eve the atmosphere was electric with excited children helping to put the Nativity figures into the stable; one or two characters did not necessarily arrive on the same timeline as told by St. Luke, but who worried, they all arrived eventually! The young people did an excellent job of the readings, retelling the Christmas story with clear voices. The collection of £107.48 was donated to Hospiscare South West. Then we reached the pinnacle of our Christmas celebrations at our Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Service.

The AGM of the Church Committee will take place on 7th April at 7.15pm. It is hoped that all members will be able to attend. It is an open meeting from 7.30pm should anyone else wish to attend.

20th April - The Easter Day Eucharist Service Please note that this service will be at the different time of 11.00am You are also warmly invited to join us for our regular Church services at Knowle:

No sooner is Christmas a fond memory, then we start our preparations for Easter.

The period of Lent starts on Wednesday 5th March with the Imposition of Ashes at St. Mary's Church Morchard Bishop at 7.30pm.

At our Church we will have our Lent midweek Evening Prayer Services. These services, which are Lay led, will be held at 4.00 pm on Wednesdays 12th, 19th & 26th March and 2nd, 9th & 16th April. Everyone is welcomed to come to these short reflective services to help prepare us spiritually for Holy week and Easter day.

1st Sunday - 10am Holy Communion with Rev. Lindsey Starrs or visiting priest 3rd Sunday - 10am Morning Worship with Fred Cann (Lay Reader) David Silvester

Special services Sunday 13th April - Palm Sunday at 11am.

Thursday 17th April - Maundy Thursday at 9pm (a short service with the traditional stripping of the Altar & a Vigil in the Church until midnight) Sunday 20th April - Easter Day service at 11am .

Sunday 30th March - Mothering Sunday, 10.30am We are having a Lay led Morning Prayer service with sherry or soft drinks and simnel cake served after.

Our Regular Service times are: 1st Sunday of the month 4.30pm Evening Prayer (Lay Led) 2nd Sunday of the month 11am Eucharist Service 3rd Sunday of the month 11am Morning Prayer (lay led) 4th Sunday of the month 9.30am Eucharist Service Everyone is welcomed Nigel Fidock 14

Crediton & Copplestone Little PUMA’s & Taekwon-Do

Copplestone Youth Club

Well done to all our Little Puma’s and Taekwon-Do members who have recently taken their promotion gradings. The team are currently working hard in preparation for the PUMA Southern Championships in February and the World Championships in March.

Youth Club is back in full flow after the Christmas break. We have enjoyed some fun evenings playing table tennis, pool and games in the Church hall. We will continue to swim once a month at the Waie Inn until the lighter evenings come, when we will be able to do some outdoor activities.

We are pleased to see our new members settling in to their training, and it's great to see so many people starting out on their Martial Arts journey.

If you would like to part of the a dynamic group where everyone is an individual but also part of a team then we are the group for you. Beginners sessions now running at Copplestone, Crediton and Newton St Cyres.

We train at Crediton and Copplestone on weekday evenings and at weekends. We meet at Copplestone Church Community Room on Wednesday evenings; Little PUMA's 6pm - 6.45pm, Taekwon-Do 7pm8pm; we train all year round not just term times.

Call Dave Powlesland on 07802 855852 email creditontkd@hotmail.com or pop along to one of our sessions. All ages and abilities are welcome as we have something to offer everyone.

Dave Powlesland

We recently had a fantastic craft night at Youth Club with Colin Burlton which the children really enjoyed, as you can see from these photos taken on the night!

Copplestone Farm Shop

Looking forward to the summer months, we plan to take the children to Haldon forest for a bike ride and picnic. There are some fantastic trails to follow through the forest and if the weather is kind, it is a beautiful place to stop and have a picnic lunch.

Local Fresh Vegetables, Bread, Milk, Eggs, Meat and Ice-cream Opening Times:

Youth Club is held every Tuesday during term time, except the first Tuesday of the month, at 6.30pm for registration and finishes at 8pm. We charge 50p per session and the money goes towards the summer special, any trips that may be planned and swimming.

There is also a tuck shop available at Youth Club.

All children aged 7 -11 years are welcomed to join us.

Parents can just turn up on a Tuesday evening and fill in a registration form or contact one of the leaders Brian Phelps Tel: 84526, Sean Schofield Tel: 85451 or Hannah Petherick Tel: 84182.

Youth Club Team

Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm Saturdays: 9am – 4pm, Sundays: 10am – 2pm Home Delivery Available.

Telephone & Email Orders Taken ‘We celebrate our 1st birthday on 2nd March so from 12 - 2pm we will be having birthday cake and you will be able to try some of our products Everyone is invited to join us’.

Email: copplestonefarmshop@icloud.com Phone: 07990068651 15

The Rotary Club of Crediton proudly present

Crediton Parish Church

Exhibition With Flowers

An Evening with Tom “Spats” Langham & his Trio ‘Hot Fingers’

Saturday 31st May - Thursday 5th June

‘Lyrics For Life’ Opening times:

10.30am - 8pm (Sat, Mon, Tues and Wed) 11am - 6pm (Sun) and 10.30am - 5pm (Thurs).

Refreshments & free admission

Saturday 26th April 2014 7pm for 7.30pm at Sandford Village Hall Tickets £10 each from either Crediton Coffee Company or Evans Newsagents, High St, Crediton Or Tel: 01363 772468 Vintage Acoustic Jazz & Swing Held in aid of Devon Freewheelers & Crediton Rotary Starfish Literacy Project

Need the Police?

Call 101

For more details please visit our website: www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk

For General Enquiries and non-emergencies call 101 To report a crime For information and advice To contact your local policing team

Studies from the Garden and Allotment An Exhibition of Botanical Watercolour Paintings by

Sandra Chalton

Your Local officers are: PCSO Lisa Crocker & PC Keith Bradshaw St Petrock’s Church Clannaborough

at 3 Dukes Court (next to the Duke of York), off the High Street, Crediton EX17 3JZ Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th March 2014,

‘Rosemary’

Plant Sale

The Cross, Copplestone Tel: 01363 84365

and

Produce

For all your hairdressing needs

in

Copplestone School Hall on

Saturday 24th May 2pm – 4.30pm

Including colours, highlights, lowlights, tinting & perms L’Oreal, Wella, Matrix

Contributions welcome Plants – Produce – Flower Pots All proceeds to Clannaborough Church

16

Copplestone Litter Pick

Youth Work Update

Saturday 29th March 2014 at 10:00am

Due to the grant that Cafe Fuse received from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund we were able to subsidise a trip to the Unit skate Park in Launceston.

We took a minibus full of young people to the park where they were able to enjoy the Southwest's largest indoors skate park. We had a great evening and are already planning our next trip to the Unit.

This is your chance to take part in cleaning the village into an area to be proud of.

Taking a pride in the Community in which you live.

Mums, Dads, Grandparents & Children – all welcome.

Meet at Copplestone Car Park Bewsley Hill at 10.00am All equipment and Insurance will be provided courtesy of Mid Devon District Council

Refreshments to be provided afterwards at Copplestone Methodist Church Hall.

Please come along and join in the fun!

Crediton & District Support Group

We also held a 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' themed Raze event in February at Copplestone Church. We had Graham Harry from Crediton Congregational Church come and speak to the young people about choices. We also had a selection of Messy games including Russian roulette with eggs and fish bobbing!

There’s more to life - visits, outings, parties, shopping, dining out and more.

We are a support group for local people with MS and part of the national Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Our aims are to help and support people with Multiple Sclerosis in the local area and help to fund national research. We also encourage therapies and exercise to maintain mobility.

We also invited the Woodlands Theme Park reptile expert to bring some of his bugs and snakes along to show the young people. This proved to be very popular and the young people really enjoyed being able to handled huge Tarantulas, giant Cockroaches, Snakes, Scorpions and more.

Membership to our group is open to people with MS, family members, friends and anyone who is willing to help. For more information please contact Jenny Smith, 16 Blagdon Rise, Crediton EX17 1EN Tel: 01363 774839.

Jenny Smith

If you have any questions or queries about the youth work that takes place in Copplestone please feel free to come email me at seansyw@yahoo.co.uk, call 01363 85451 or take a look at our website at www.copplestonechurch.org.uk for more information.

Sean Schofield Children & Families Worker Copplestone Methodist Church

17

Copplestone Sharks U8:- This season has continued in the tradition of our club by playing some good football with a high level of sportsmanship and enjoying the experience. Playing in the Mid Devon league the boys are having lots of fun and have played 4 corner, Futsal and traditional football.

A Wet Season Continues With the weather affecting all football fixtures in the Devon area, Copplestone United have had a lot of games cancelled and now are having to look at re-arranging matches to complete the season. This could turn out to be a problem and fixtures may have to be played midweek or Sundays.

With this in mind all teams continue to train at Bow School, The Waie Inn or weather permitting Copplestone school pitch, with all the boys remaining eager to get back into matches.

Copplestone United have had the honour of being invited to play in the Plymouth Argyle Community Cup in May with some of the fixtures being played on the Home Park pitch. With some of the best teams in the South West being invited this should be a great experience for all players. The club will be entering teams in the U8, U9, U10 and U11 age groups.

The club have invested in a 20’ container and this has now been installed on the Pullen field site. The club is hoping to use this facility to provide refreshments at home fixtures as well as storage.

Another container is planned to house pitch equipment. This is hoping to be positioned at a later date.

Copplestone United U11:- Continuing to play exceptional football against the best U11 teams in the Exeter league and at present hold 4th place in Division 1. A good cup run has seen the United team reach the Quarter finals and play Broadclyst on 22nd February at home.

New players wishing to join the club can contact Kay Gibson (Club Secretary) on 01363 881117 for more details. For players of ages 5yrs to 8yrs training continues on Saturday mornings on Copplestone School pitch. This is run by Exeter City & Copplestone United with their coach Ben Speirs from 10am till 11:15am.

Guy Gibson

Copplestone Fitzpaine U11:- This season are an ever improving team and are now starting to play their best football. At present the Fitzpaine team lie 7th in the Exeter league Division 3. With only the bottom teams to play in this division the team are hoping for a strong finish.

Copplestone Cobras U10:- Continue to play some great football and are exciting the club with this seasons performances. They at present hold 5th place in the Eastern Division and have also reached the Quarter finals of the cup and play CS Pumas away on the 22nd February.

Courtney’s Garage Copplestone Servicing - Repairs – MOT’s Quality used cars for sale Tel: 01363 84223 courtneysgarage@hotmail.co.uk

Copplestone Colts U9:- Playing in the Exeter League but in a non-competitive format. The Colts side continue to play well against some very good sides with mixed results. Up till now the boys have played 12; won 5, drawn 1, lost 6 and all boys are enjoying the experience of playing against good teams.

‘The Willows’ Church View Car Sales

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation

Union Rd, Crediton

in Copplestone

Quality used cars for sale Tel: 01363 776453 www.churchviewcarsales.co.uk

Traditional Breakfast All En-Suite Rooms TV in all Rooms Tea & Coffee Facilities 2 Double Rooms 1 Twin Room Mrs Win Headon & Mr Colin Taverner Tel: 01363 84708 Mob: 07810 458982 www.thewillowsdevon.co.uk

Open: Monday - Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm

18

Recipes from The Café

The Love of Words

(The following 2 recipes were enjoyed in February)

You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish.

Eunice’s Lemon Crunch Flan

To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.

A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

8 ozs crushed digestive biscuits 4 ozs melted margarine 10 fluid ozs double cream 1 large tin condensed milk 2/3 lemons

When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, UCLA. The batteries were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married…

They fought tooth and nail.

Mix melted margarine with crushed biscuits. Press into 2 pie dishes and put in fridge to cool. Whisk the double cream until beginning to thicken and add condensed milk and juice from lemons. Whisk until fairly thick and pour into pie dishes and put in fridge.

Decorate with strawberries, kiwi or lemon zest.

Simple to make & lovely to eat!

A will is a dead giveaway.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

A boiled egg is hard to beat.

When you've seen one shopping centre, you've seen a mall.

Sheila’s Chicken Provençale Bake

Police were called to a day care where a three year old was resisting a rest.

Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.

Serves 6-8 225g dried pasta shells 225g onions, chopped 3 tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp dried mixed herbs (or more if fresh herbs) 150ml white wine (optional) 3 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp sugar 700g skinless chicken breast 25g each butter and flour 450ml milk 200g soft cheese 50g pitted olives 75g pesto Fresh basil

A bicycle can't stand alone, it's two tired.

When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.

The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.

He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

When she saw her first strands of grey hair she thought she'd dye.

Acupuncture - a jab well done.

1. Cook pasta in boiling water until just tender; drain & run under cold water.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large pan; add onions & garlic; cook for 5 mins. Add wine, tomatoes, seasoning, herbs & sugar. Bring to boil & simmer for 30mins or until reduced by one third.

3. Cut chicken into chunks & place in a roasting tin.

Drizzle over remaining oil & season. Cover with foil and cook at 200o for 15 mins or until just cooked.

4. Melt butter in saucepan, stir in flour & cook stirring for 1 min. Gradually add milk & whisk until smooth. Bring to boil & simmer for 5 mins, stirring all the time. Take off heat, whisk in soft cheese & season.

5. Place chicken, pasta, olives and tomato sauce in 3.4 litre baking dish & roughly mix together. Top with the white sauce & lightly stir in the pesto.

6. Cook at 200o for 40-50 mins or until thoroughly cooked; cover with foil to start with.

7. Serve sprinkled with fresh basil.

Delicious with garlic bread & salad.

Devon Places Quiz 1.Well Over Cooked Senior Clergyman 2. Bathed the Farm Land 3. Cutting Tool & Big Church 4. Green Creeper & Card Game 5. Put Coal in the Engine for the Big Gun 6. Former Partner & Food Receiver 7. Hay Shed & Metal Fastener 8. Die Back on the Crest of Hill 9. Chunk of Stone & Pub Beverage 10. Old English Tree & Make of Car 11. Cream Eggs Come From Here 12. Precious Metal & Heavy Weight 13. Where They Chased the Cooked Pig

(To freeze: cool, wrap & freeze at the end of step 5.

To use: thaw overnight. Cook as in step 6 for 1 hour)

14. Cattle Fodder on Hill (Answers on back page)

19

Spring Diary Dates March: 1st Table Top Sale in Church Hall “ ELF Charity Quiz, Boniface Centre Crediton 4th Age Concern Coffee Morning, Crediton “ The Café Lunch “ Parish Council Meeting 5th Bingo at the School 7th Louise Mott in Concert at Chulmleigh 19th Gardening Club Meeting at The Cross Pub 26th Exeter Male Voice Choir at Knowle 28th Community Health Watch Presentation, Church 29th Litter Pick 30th Mothers Day & Clocks Go Forward April: 1st The Café Lunch 2nd Bingo at the School 5th Charity Quiz Children with Cancer (Exwick) 6th Community Praise at Church 11th Easter Quiz at Church Hall 18th Easter Egg Hunt 20th Easter Day May: 6th The Café Lunch 7th Bingo at the School 18th Crediton Crunch 21st Exhibition with Flowers, Crediton 24th Clannaborough Plant Sale at the School June: 4th Bingo at the School 6th Songs of 1st World War, Bow Village Hall 16/18/20th Holiday at Home 21st Copplestone Proms 28/29th Open Gardens in Copplestone

Devon Places Quiz Answers 1. Morchard Bishop, 2. Washfield, 3. Axminster, 4. Ivybridge, 5. Stoke Canon, 6. Exmouth, 7. Barnstaple, 8. Witheridge, 9. Rockbeare, 10. Oakford, 11. Cadbury, 12. Silverton, 13. Huntsham 14. Haytor

Your Village Magazine

Tops Tips for Saving Energy & Money 1.

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Following a particularly wet and windy few months, I’m sure that you’re looking forward to the Spring with lighter evenings and the hope of warmer days - I certainly am! I also hope that you have enjoyed reading this Spring edition of The Enlightener and have found some interesting news within its pages along with details of future events that you could go along to and enjoy.

Turn down your thermostat by one degree Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat should be set at 60oC/140oF Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping Turn off the lights when you leave a room Don’t leave appliances on standby & don’t leave laptops/phones on charge unnecessarily Only boil the kettle for the water you need Defrost fridges & freezers regularly Use lower energy programmes on dishwashers & washing machines when possible

Thanks as always to all those who have sent articles and photos to help keep us informed of what is happening in our community. The next Enlightener is due out at the beginning of June. If you have anything to contribute or if you are a parish resident and wish to place an advert, then please contact me in early May, Tel: 84018 or email lunn.family4@gmail.com.

Suzanne Lunn – Enlightener Editor

British Summer Time begins

Clocks spring forward one hour on

Sunday 30th March 20